*Problem Solving*

Hi there.

Can I suggest you read "Martian in the Playground" by Clare Sainsbury? This is a 1st hand account of how it felt to be a child in school who was on the spectrum. Quite horrifying in places but very well written.

Do read up on the subject in the library here - there's so much to find out. Also read about some of the other experiences parents are having with their children at school. Lots of us have a terrible time, which quite frankly, feels like a life sentence of grief and stress. It doesn't have to be like that though and it's encouraging to see that there are teachers who want to know more and work with our children, not force them, as square pegs, into round holes.

If there's 1 tip I would give, it's that there's always a reason for any behaviour. Whatever you see, something has caused it, and more often than not, it's frustration and distress which is causing it, not bad behaviour.

All the best,

Hellsbells

Hi, whilst it's always helpful to be upfront about why people may have questions around autism, we are happy to welcome professionals into the community.

I can perfectly understand your concern longman but as long as people are open about why they may have questions and aren't promoting research directly but exploring questions then I think that's something that is okay here.

Though I do think it is important, traineeteacher, not to miss the resources and research available solely in favour of personal experiences. They can help but that shouldn't replace available training for professionals.

Hope that makes sense :)

Hi Longman, thank you for your response.

I have been researching for an extended essay on the matter, yes. However I have completed that but since it has raised other points of interest for me. I have been advised by other teachers that it may be worth posting a mention on this discussion forum to gain great insight from the people who experience the difficulties faced by Autism themselves.

I have worked in some special educational needs settings but without the knowledge I have now. Your suggestion to speak to other researchers is very valuable advice, I just thought, after been advised, that hearing personal accounts from people would give me a different perspective on the matter. 

I apologise if I have caused offence in anyway by joining the forum and seemed to have presented false intentions for the use of this; I in no way want to be an intrusion. Thank you for the advice you have provided about other organisations around to discuss on, I will look into it.

Regards

Hi traineeteacher. Are you writing up a final year project/dissertation or other piece of self directed study for your teaching qualification. If you are seeking outcomes from dialogue on here towards that end you should let the Moderators know.

It would be worth looking at the library resources on this subject in your college/university. Some institutions have very little "pedagogic" literature on educating people on the spectrum. You should be able to access this on the library catalogue or just browse the shelf. It would be worth comparing your education centre library with the titles available on the NAS website. There are plenty of books recording young people's and young adult's experiences of education and being on the autistic spectrum.

If not your own institution, a nearby institution may have special education needs lecturers and researchers on staff. You may be better contacting them. There may be project data you could have access to, or let you participate in live discussion groups, though you may need to meet prior clearance for this.

Excuse my caution but having said that you are in the final year of training, it is important you don't misuse a discussion forum like this to complete your degree. Also you may be able to get the experience and insight you seek in the posts you secure once qualified.

Best Wishes

Thank you for replying. Sorry to hear that you were made to feel stupid - see this is what I want to avoid. I Really appreciate any feedback!

I still struggle to understand fully the difference between Aperger's and ASD actually.

I think either way a lot of it seems to be based around brain activity. I am trying to look into thought impairments and see how that may hinder mathematical thinking, so it is interesting to see it from all angles! 

Hello,

I am 24 years old and I have Asperger's syndrome. What follows is my own experience and I speak purely in a personal capacity, so my own experiences are not necessarily representative of all people with ASD.

I have always had difficulties with maths and spatial reasoning. Teachers at school did not understand  how I could be so good at some subjects - Science, reading, memorising facts-and yet could not mentally work out the most basic additions and subtractions. My mind cannot manipulate numbers; I cannot hold one number in my head while simultaneously relating the number to other numbers. Numbers do not make any sense, maybe because they are so abstract and I am a concrete and visual thinker, which is why I am good at visual subjects such as History, although I am not so good at art.

The technical name for a specifical mathematical learning difficulty is dyscalculia, but the child or adult is often very good in other subjects. The mistake teachers made when I was at school was that they  made me feel stupid and slow because of my difficulties processing numerical, spatial and abstract concepts.